The rain finally came last night and drenched the entire State of Georgia in a pounding storm, leaving the soaked ground too wet for anything other than the easy retrieval of earthworms by robins and cardinals.

It had better clear up by this weekend. It's time once again to lead the quarterly hike of Buddhists through the forest - this time we're off to Springer Mountain, the starting point of the Appalachian Trail (or ending, dependent upon your orientation). But first, I need to take a recon hike to scout the current parking situation, find good places to sit, etc. I'm planning on going this Saturday, weather permitting, for the reconnaissance, but the hike itself is in two weeks, so if I don't do the recon this weekend, I'll only have one more chance the following weekend. And Murphy's Law will dictate that if there's only one opportunity to go on the recon hike, it will rain on that one opportunity.

However, this weekend looks like it should have a fairly high overall potential for fun. Friday, I'm going to Variety Playhouse to see Donna the Buffalo with L. Traveling across the country in a 1960 tour bus, Donna the Buffalo has developed a fervent following and fans of all ages. Dubbed "The Herd," Donna's fanbase trails the band as they make their way from state to state. The band has performed at The Merle Watson Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and The Newport Folk Festival. Funky and danceable with a message of tribal philosophy and celebration, Donna the Buffalo's music is a unique blend of reggae, rock, country, zydeco, cajun, and folk traditions. Donna's pointed lyrics issue moral challenges as their topic material moves effortlessly between political, historical, personal, and spiritual themes, with ideas of social and moral responsibility that spring from the band members core beliefs. The interchange of energy and emotion between the band and the fans turns each concert into an experience that actualize the ideas of community, responsibility, and celebration heard in the band's lyrics.

Or so I'm told.

Anyway, after the Saturday hike, L. and I are off to the Alliance Theater to see "The Guardsman" by Ferenc Molnar. "Ferenc," as I learned in Budapest, is a popular name in Hungary. The play is billed as a romantic comedy about the troubled, young marriage of a vain actor and actress. Sure to catch his wife cheating, the actor disguises himself as a soldier and courts her incognito. His gambit sets off a comedic chain of events with the moral that true love conquers all. László Marton directs.

Sunday, I'm heading back up to the Chattanooga Zen Center with my friend Arthur for their Sunday service.

So, that's my weekend: some music, some theater, some Appalachian Trail hiking, some Zen, and some time with the lovely L. It all looks good from here, and sure as hell beats out unstructured time.